Egypt requires an investment of around US$43bn over the next four years to meet rising electricity demand, according to a report released by the Arab Petroleum Investment Corporation (Apicorp) earlier this year
As the most populous country in the MENA region, Egypt is home to more than 90mn people. As a result, it will need to raise its power capacity by 20 GW to supply the electricity required by its growing economy and to create opportunities for the country?s burgeoning private sector.
?Egypt?s estimated capacity of 34 GW is not sufficient to meet this rising demand, and power outages are frequent ? especially in summer months ? when people can experience blackouts more than three times a day,? Apicorp noted.
?The country has ambitious plans to invest and increase its capacity in the medium term. Our estimates suggest that Egypt will need to invest US$28bn in power generation and a further US$15bn in transmission and distribution (T&D).?
Egypt?s power sector is seen as a key component in the authorities? efforts to revive the economy and help boost the private sector, which have been stifled by chronic energy shortages. In 2014, the country saw demand peak at 27,000MW, which was as much as 20 per cent above capacity. The authorities are seeking private and international investment to expand energy capacity, and have already secured commitments and investments from around 70 companies to build 4.3GW of wind and solar capacity by 2020.
Egypt is working through a number of challenges to be able to finance its power projects. Currency devaluations, debt servicing and infrastructure investments in virtually every aspect of the economy means the government will require financial support to realise its ambitious goal of expanding power capacity.
To bridge this gap, Informa will be holding the 2017 edition of Electricx in Cairo from 3-5 December, under the patronage of Prime Minister Sherif Ismail; minister of electricity and renewable energy, Mohammed Shaker; and minister of military production Gen Mohamed El Assar. Electricx 2017 will be taking place at the Cairo International Convention Centre.
?The exhibition brings the opportunity to discover the latest solutions and technologies from major electricity and solar energy manufacturers and suppliers. Getting introduced to new market needs will help in supporting and developing the regional manufacturing and create the best strategies for encouraging investments in the Egyptian power market,? said Shaker.
Electricx will give an opportunity to meet new suppliers, catch up with clients, network with industry colleagues and learn about the latest innovations. According to the organiser, Electricx is a crucial event for anyone interested in energy and visitors have direct access to a large number of local, regional and international stakeholders and source the latest products and equipment first-hand.
